CategoryInterviews
Interviews with horror filmmakers, actors and writers — how the films get made and what comes next.
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InterviewsStreaming TV
One of the most important parts of a film is its score and soundtrack. Even if you don’t realize it, the music is there to guide you through the movie and influence your mood, the setting, and the tone of the movie. Recently, I had the opportunity to interview a fantastic composer, musician, and Grammy nominee Charlie Clouser who has composed a long list of scores for television, film, and games including for the ‘Saw’ franchise, ‘Wayward Pines’, and the iconic opening score of ‘American Horror Story’. You may recognize Clouser for his work as a musician. He was one of the founding members of Nine Inch Nails. Clouser still works in the music industry today, creating remixes for musicians like Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie’s band White Zombie. Horror Fuel: “You have been involved with various roles in the music industry for a while. How old were you when you began playing music and what was your first instrument?”
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Interviews
This afternoon I had the pleasure of speaking with John Fallon of Bruise Productions. He’s the writer and director of ‘The Shelter’ as well as a stuntman, actor, producer and the founder of Arrowinthehead.com. You have probably heard of some of the other films he’s written, directed or starred in like ‘Saw II’, ‘American Muscle’, ‘100 Feet’ or ‘Dead Shadows’. Saying Fallon is a busy man is an understatement. I’m very thankful that he found the time to answer my questions. Fallon’s most recent film, ‘The Shelter‘. stars Michael Paré (Abattoir, Village of the Damned, Eddie and the Cruisers I & II), Lauren Alexandra (Looper), Gayle James (Time Eva), Rachel Whittle (Shark Island), Amy Wickenheiser (The Outsider), and Brigette Rose. In the film, Tomas Jacobs (Paré), a homeless man and widower, finds a place to rest for the night when he discovers an empty two-story house with an open door. Thinking he’s had a lucky break he enters the home,
Continue reading →
Interviews
Recently, I spoke with Bryan McClure (Hawaii 5-O) about his role in the ongoing horror webseries Strings, which centers on a group of teen who wake to find that they have been kidnapped and tied to together. The series is directed by Stephen David Brooks and co-stars Taylor Hay, Paul Stevans, Bryan McClure, Saige Ryan, Joey Luthman, and Viner, Nik Keswani. Horror Fuel: “Please tell us about the Strings series.” McClure: “Strings is about a group of teens that find themselves waking up tied up and bound in a room. They’re trapped there and being forced to solve the clues of an unknown assailant who’s picking them off one by one. With a timer in place, they all strive to beat the clock in order to get out alive. Horror Fuel: “If you will, please tell us about your character.” McClure: “I play street-smart Rikers Smith. I don’t play well with the group, but that’s because I’m usually one step
Continue reading →
Interviews
Yesterday, I spoke with Stephen Manley about his role in the upcoming paranormal thriller ‘Ghosthunters’, written and directed by Pearry Reginald Teo. You may recognize Manely form one of his many roles. He has starred in many films and series, such as ‘Outlaw Chronicles: Hells Angels’, ‘Billy the Kid: New Evidence’, ‘Death in the Desert’, ‘Star Trek III: The Search for Spock’, ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Love Boat’. In ‘Ghosthunters’, when one of their own loses his wife and daughter at the hands of a serial killer, a team of ghost hunters is determined to help the spirit of the loved ones finally rest in peace. But as the team goes deeper into the house, the ghosts become more hostile, and the group discovers the true secrets of the house and its murderer. Horror Fuel: “You recently starred in the paranormal thriller ‘Ghosthunters’. Can you tell us about the film?” Manley: “Ghosthunters” is a gothic horror film written
Continue reading →
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Before we know it 2016 will have ended. It is time to start looking forward at the films we will see released in 2017. One of the horror films we are really looking forward to is the creepy clown film ‘Crepitus‘, directed by Haynze Whitmore and penned by Eddie Renner and Sarah Renner. Horror icon Bill Moseley (Death House,The Devil’s Rejects) is set to play the role of Crepitus, an evil entity that takes the form of a clown and has a taste for the flesh of children. Lance Paul, Raiden Moore, Jackey Hall, Mike Hard, and Caitlin Williams co-star alongside Moseley. The film centers around seventeen year old Elizabeth and her younger brother Julian, The two are about to face something even more frightening than their life with their alcoholic, abusive mother. When the family is forced to move into their grandfather’s old house the ghosts are the least of their problems. They will soon learn the horrible secrets
Continue reading →
Interviews
Juan Gonzalez’s new horror film, The Ghost Hunt, will begin filming this fall. The film, based on true events, follows five friends who go on a ghost hunting tour, then are followed home by one of the spirits they encounter. Today I had the opportunity to speak with Gonzalez about his upcoming project, The Ghost Hunt, and his first horror film The Awakened and about his life. I learned a lot about his writing process, his hopes for his film and his dedication as a father. I have to admit, it was a very pleasant conversation. Gonzalez was friendly, funny and eager to talk about his projects (That’s always a good sign). His enthusiasm about The Ghost Hunt and filmmaking were refreshing. Juan Gonzalez’s debut in the horror genre was with 2013’s The Awakened, which he produced and received story credit for. The film follows five friends who decide to wait out a hurricane in Miami and throw a party.
Continue reading →
InterviewsNewsProductTrue Story
I’ve attended a lot of Hollywood meetings. Creative. Business. Social. In every one of these, ideas and projects get thrown around. People get excited. Plans are made. I usually wait until the very end to ask the most important question. If it is not mentioned up front, you kind of have your answer, but it’s a game in the end to see if you’re as smart as you think you are. That question is: Is the financing in place? You get either leaden silence as if you committed some grave social faux pas, or you get the “well, we are talking to so and so…” Translated: there is no money. Don’t believe the Hollywood fables of making a film for $15,000 and making $400 million. With all legends there is a grain of truth, but like an oyster makes a pearl, it’s slathered with layers of mucus and shit. No, your $7000 movie is not going to make a million.
Continue reading →
Interviews
Tonight I spoke with an up-and-coming writer and director Jonathan Patrick Hughes about his latest project, the 20 minute short horror film (S)aint Nick, which is being eyed for a Horror Christmas anthology titled The 12 Slays of Christmas by Body Bag Films . Hughes was kind enough to share never-before-seen behind the scenes photos from the set of (S)aint Nick, which is his first film out of Film school. Hughes graduated from “The Factory”, a program at The Douglas Education Center, the same school where Tom Savini’s School of Make Up Effects is located. (S)aint Nick , filmed in Canonsburg, Pittsburgh, stars Leeana Hergenreder, John Seese and Chaise Thompkins and follows a kid named Billy who asks Santa to kill his abusive stepfather. KM “How old were you when you realized you wanted to be a director?” JH “When I was four my mom bought me The Making Of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. By the age of 5, I was
Continue reading →
EventsHalloweenIndieInterviewsMoviesStreaming TV
Let’s build on Eli Roth’s prescient observation. I have written quite a bit on cynicism in filmmaking. If you are just coming to my series, stop here. Go back and read my other pieces. Then you can read this in context. However, he is talking about a SMALL percentage of fans. This is not a general description at all. We prefer to focus on the majority of horror fans that do the opposite of Roth’s comments. I have provided an open door, a very wide door, into the production of a movie since “Death House” started filming. “Death House” is my fifth feature film: the fifth I have written and the third I have directed. It’s been a long road, and frankly, I am doing what no one else is doing in Hollywood, making consistent, high quality product on very low budgets. I’ve made one film a year since doing this profession full time. “Death House” was brought to me
Continue reading →
Interviews
I recently spoke with Australian actress Natalie Gerace, who is set to star in Victor Miller and Kerry Fleming’s Rock Paper Dead. This young actress has a distinct, beautiful look and fabulous accent to match. KM “You’re far from home. How did you end up in LA?” NG “Well, the biggest drawcard for me moving to LA was acting. After all, it’s the hub for the entertainment industry. But nonetheless, I’ve always wanted to live here. I love the lifestyle, not to mention the glorious weather year round. It’s such a great city. There’s always something to see and do. Never a dull moment in La La land! It’s definitely very different to where I grew up. I’m a small city girl from Adelaide, South Australia. Coming from a smaller city in Australia, there really isn’t a lot of opportunity to pursue a professional career in the entertainment industry.” KM “Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t you named after
Continue reading →
More from Interviews
InterviewsStreaming TV
One of the most important parts of a film is its score and soundtrack. Even if you don’t realize it, the music is there to guide you through the movie and influence your mood, the setting, and the tone of the movie. Recently, I had the opportunity to interview a fantastic composer, musician, and Grammy nominee Charlie Clouser who has composed a long list of scores for television, film, and games including for the ‘Saw’ franchise, ‘Wayward Pines’, and the iconic opening score of ‘American Horror Story’. You may recognize Clouser for his work as a musician. He was one of the founding members of Nine Inch Nails. Clouser still works in the music industry today, creating remixes for musicians like Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie’s band White Zombie. Horror Fuel: “You have been involved with various roles in the music industry for a while. How old were you when you began playing music and what was your first instrument?”
Continue reading →
Interviews
This afternoon I had the pleasure of speaking with John Fallon of Bruise Productions. He’s the writer and director of ‘The Shelter’ as well as a stuntman, actor, producer and the founder of Arrowinthehead.com. You have probably heard of some of the other films he’s written, directed or starred in like ‘Saw II’, ‘American Muscle’, ‘100 Feet’ or ‘Dead Shadows’. Saying Fallon is a busy man is an understatement. I’m very thankful that he found the time to answer my questions. Fallon’s most recent film, ‘The Shelter‘. stars Michael Paré (Abattoir, Village of the Damned, Eddie and the Cruisers I & II), Lauren Alexandra (Looper), Gayle James (Time Eva), Rachel Whittle (Shark Island), Amy Wickenheiser (The Outsider), and Brigette Rose. In the film, Tomas Jacobs (Paré), a homeless man and widower, finds a place to rest for the night when he discovers an empty two-story house with an open door. Thinking he’s had a lucky break he enters the home,
Continue reading →
Interviews
Recently, I spoke with Bryan McClure (Hawaii 5-O) about his role in the ongoing horror webseries Strings, which centers on a group of teen who wake to find that they have been kidnapped and tied to together. The series is directed by Stephen David Brooks and co-stars Taylor Hay, Paul Stevans, Bryan McClure, Saige Ryan, Joey Luthman, and Viner, Nik Keswani. Horror Fuel: “Please tell us about the Strings series.” McClure: “Strings is about a group of teens that find themselves waking up tied up and bound in a room. They’re trapped there and being forced to solve the clues of an unknown assailant who’s picking them off one by one. With a timer in place, they all strive to beat the clock in order to get out alive. Horror Fuel: “If you will, please tell us about your character.” McClure: “I play street-smart Rikers Smith. I don’t play well with the group, but that’s because I’m usually one step
Continue reading →
Interviews
Yesterday, I spoke with Stephen Manley about his role in the upcoming paranormal thriller ‘Ghosthunters’, written and directed by Pearry Reginald Teo. You may recognize Manely form one of his many roles. He has starred in many films and series, such as ‘Outlaw Chronicles: Hells Angels’, ‘Billy the Kid: New Evidence’, ‘Death in the Desert’, ‘Star Trek III: The Search for Spock’, ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Love Boat’. In ‘Ghosthunters’, when one of their own loses his wife and daughter at the hands of a serial killer, a team of ghost hunters is determined to help the spirit of the loved ones finally rest in peace. But as the team goes deeper into the house, the ghosts become more hostile, and the group discovers the true secrets of the house and its murderer. Horror Fuel: “You recently starred in the paranormal thriller ‘Ghosthunters’. Can you tell us about the film?” Manley: “Ghosthunters” is a gothic horror film written
Continue reading →
IndieInterviews
Before we know it 2016 will have ended. It is time to start looking forward at the films we will see released in 2017. One of the horror films we are really looking forward to is the creepy clown film ‘Crepitus‘, directed by Haynze Whitmore and penned by Eddie Renner and Sarah Renner. Horror icon Bill Moseley (Death House,The Devil’s Rejects) is set to play the role of Crepitus, an evil entity that takes the form of a clown and has a taste for the flesh of children. Lance Paul, Raiden Moore, Jackey Hall, Mike Hard, and Caitlin Williams co-star alongside Moseley. The film centers around seventeen year old Elizabeth and her younger brother Julian, The two are about to face something even more frightening than their life with their alcoholic, abusive mother. When the family is forced to move into their grandfather’s old house the ghosts are the least of their problems. They will soon learn the horrible secrets
Continue reading →
Interviews
Juan Gonzalez’s new horror film, The Ghost Hunt, will begin filming this fall. The film, based on true events, follows five friends who go on a ghost hunting tour, then are followed home by one of the spirits they encounter. Today I had the opportunity to speak with Gonzalez about his upcoming project, The Ghost Hunt, and his first horror film The Awakened and about his life. I learned a lot about his writing process, his hopes for his film and his dedication as a father. I have to admit, it was a very pleasant conversation. Gonzalez was friendly, funny and eager to talk about his projects (That’s always a good sign). His enthusiasm about The Ghost Hunt and filmmaking were refreshing. Juan Gonzalez’s debut in the horror genre was with 2013’s The Awakened, which he produced and received story credit for. The film follows five friends who decide to wait out a hurricane in Miami and throw a party.
Continue reading →
InterviewsNewsProductTrue Story
I’ve attended a lot of Hollywood meetings. Creative. Business. Social. In every one of these, ideas and projects get thrown around. People get excited. Plans are made. I usually wait until the very end to ask the most important question. If it is not mentioned up front, you kind of have your answer, but it’s a game in the end to see if you’re as smart as you think you are. That question is: Is the financing in place? You get either leaden silence as if you committed some grave social faux pas, or you get the “well, we are talking to so and so…” Translated: there is no money. Don’t believe the Hollywood fables of making a film for $15,000 and making $400 million. With all legends there is a grain of truth, but like an oyster makes a pearl, it’s slathered with layers of mucus and shit. No, your $7000 movie is not going to make a million.
Continue reading →
Interviews
Tonight I spoke with an up-and-coming writer and director Jonathan Patrick Hughes about his latest project, the 20 minute short horror film (S)aint Nick, which is being eyed for a Horror Christmas anthology titled The 12 Slays of Christmas by Body Bag Films . Hughes was kind enough to share never-before-seen behind the scenes photos from the set of (S)aint Nick, which is his first film out of Film school. Hughes graduated from “The Factory”, a program at The Douglas Education Center, the same school where Tom Savini’s School of Make Up Effects is located. (S)aint Nick , filmed in Canonsburg, Pittsburgh, stars Leeana Hergenreder, John Seese and Chaise Thompkins and follows a kid named Billy who asks Santa to kill his abusive stepfather. KM “How old were you when you realized you wanted to be a director?” JH “When I was four my mom bought me The Making Of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. By the age of 5, I was
Continue reading →
EventsHalloweenIndieInterviewsMoviesStreaming TV
Let’s build on Eli Roth’s prescient observation. I have written quite a bit on cynicism in filmmaking. If you are just coming to my series, stop here. Go back and read my other pieces. Then you can read this in context. However, he is talking about a SMALL percentage of fans. This is not a general description at all. We prefer to focus on the majority of horror fans that do the opposite of Roth’s comments. I have provided an open door, a very wide door, into the production of a movie since “Death House” started filming. “Death House” is my fifth feature film: the fifth I have written and the third I have directed. It’s been a long road, and frankly, I am doing what no one else is doing in Hollywood, making consistent, high quality product on very low budgets. I’ve made one film a year since doing this profession full time. “Death House” was brought to me
Continue reading →
Interviews
I recently spoke with Australian actress Natalie Gerace, who is set to star in Victor Miller and Kerry Fleming’s Rock Paper Dead. This young actress has a distinct, beautiful look and fabulous accent to match. KM “You’re far from home. How did you end up in LA?” NG “Well, the biggest drawcard for me moving to LA was acting. After all, it’s the hub for the entertainment industry. But nonetheless, I’ve always wanted to live here. I love the lifestyle, not to mention the glorious weather year round. It’s such a great city. There’s always something to see and do. Never a dull moment in La La land! It’s definitely very different to where I grew up. I’m a small city girl from Adelaide, South Australia. Coming from a smaller city in Australia, there really isn’t a lot of opportunity to pursue a professional career in the entertainment industry.” KM “Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t you named after
Continue reading →
